Our Students' Union Big Elections will Open Nominations on February 5th - think you've got what it takes to lead the Students' Union and improve life for all students at UWS? Read on!
- What are the Big Elections?
- Big Elections 2024 Timetable
- Student President Roles
- Volunteer Roles
- Support For Candidates
- Elections Principles and Rules
- FAQs
- Questions or Complaints
- These elections are when UWS students choose who their student presidents, school officers, and PGR reps will be for academic year 2024/2025.
- Students nominate themselves for the position they are interested in, and then all UWS students can vote for their preferred candidates.
- The winners will hold these roles for a year - and the president roles are full time and paid so it's really important that you choose the candidates who are best able to represent you.
- Find out more below or email representation@uwsunion.org.uk with any specific questions you have!
Big Elections 2024 Timetable
|
Session
|
Objectives
|
Date / Time
|
|
Manifesto Development sessions
Drop in / Q and A
|
Support potential candidates to develop ideas for their manifesto.
Workshop will focus on supporting candidates to identify issues they’d like to include in their manifesto, including key messages and language. The sessions will be run online
Microsoft Teams meeting
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 394 456 183 890
Passcode: UdExp9
Download Teams | Join on the web
|
Tuesday 30th January
to
Friday 2nd February
12pm to 2pm each day
|
|
Nominations open
|
Nominations open.
|
Monday 5th February, 9.30am
|
|
Public speaking and Confidence building sessions
|
In partnership with Academic Skills, the workshops will support potential candidates to feel confident to speak to students about their manifesto’s
There are 2 sessions to chose from, one is in person and one is online.
(Please note, a follow up session will be held on Tuesday 13th February, the link to register will be posted here in due course)
If you'd like to ask any questions or discuss something specific, please visit the Padlet Page where you can ask annoymously
https://padlet.com/christa_campbell/questions-about-public-speaking-nr5vp8plfyed1ajy
|
Tuesday 6th February
11am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm
(you only need to attend one session)
(follow up session being held 13th February, registration details to follow)
|
|
Elections online drop in question and answer sessions
|
Provide potential candidates an opportunity to ask any questions not answered in the FAQ site. The sessions will be run online
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 366 462 353 811
Passcode: i7SuKc
Download Teams | Join on the web
|
Monday 12th,
Tuesday 13th,
Wednesday 14th
and
Friday 16th February
All 12pm to 1pm
(NOTE: No session on Thursday 15th due to the AGM (AGM (Annual General Meeting) 2024 (native.fm)
|
| Nominations Close |
Deadline for close of nominations for all positions.
All candidates will receive further information and instructions after this date.
|
Thursday 15th February, 11.59pm |
|
Elections campaigning workshops
|
Development of Election Campaign including campaign poster/leaflet design, campaign techniques and campaigning for social media. The sessions will be run online.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 331 419 196 516
Passcode: EV3buD
Download Teams | Join on the web
|
Monday 19th,
Tuesday 20th
and
Thursday 22nd February
All 12pm to 2pm
(Note: no session Wednesday 21st due to Candidate Briefing, see below)
|
|
Candidate briefing and Q&A
TBC – and Video Introduction Session
|
Provides candidates with an overview of the election rules and support available
TBC - Provides candidates with basic requirements for video content and shots.
Candidates will be sent joining link directly
|
Wednesday 21st February 2pm to 4pm
|
|
Manifesto Feedback and Graphics support Session
|
Provide candidates with feedback on their manifesto points and design of their materials
Candidates must submit their manifesto with design at least 48hours prior to their booked session, each session will last 15minute.
Further information is provided upon submitting your nomination.
|
Monday 19th February 10am to Thursday 22nd February 3pm
|
|
Manifesto printed material deadline
|
Deadline for receiving designs for printed material. Designs submitted after this date may not be printed in time for Voting week.
Further information on requirements for printed material provided during Candidate Briefing.
Sabbatical Officer candidates must also have submitted the Charity Trustee Declaration form, further information can be found on the Big Elections Candidate Material webpage
|
Friday 23rd February, 12pm
|
|
Manifesto upload to website Deadline
|
All candidates must have their manifesto uploaded to their candidate sites by this time or candidacy will be rejected/withdrawn.
|
Friday 23rd February, 12pm
|
|
Video Editing Service Deadline for Sabbatical Officer candidates only
|
Provides Sabbatical Officer candidates with a professional video for use on their and Union Social Media
Video content must be sent to Video Editor no later than Friday 1st March or your video will not be produced in time for voting week.
Further information provided during Candidate briefing
|
Friday 1st March, 12pm
|
|
Voting Opens
|
The voting period opens. All students are invited to vote.
|
Tuesday 5th March, 9.30am
|
|
Voting Week Support Sessions
|
Provides candidates with a space to talk about how their campaigns are going and support each other.
Links will be sent to candidates directly.
|
Dates TBC
|
|
Voting Closes
|
The voting period closes.
|
Thursday 7th March, 11:59pm
|
|
Big Elections Results Party
|
The results for all positions will be announced at Your Union, UWS Paisley Campus.
Further information will follow
|
Friday 8th March Time TBC
|
Student President Roles
- Student Presidents are the full time student leadership team of the Students' Union.
- There is one Student President, and three Student Vice Presidents, each with a different area of work.
- Student Presidents lead the students’ union after being elected by UWS students.
- They work to deliver their election promises and sit on the University Court and Senate – the highest decision making bodies of the university.
- They are the people who bring the student voice right to the University management.
- They are called "sabbatical" officers because they pause their studies for a year or take up the role as they graduate.
- You cannot continue to study while serving as a Student President - you must talk to your programme leader about deferring your studies for a year.
- Elected Student Presidents are paid and will begin their role on the 24th June.
- There are four Student President positions so there's a role to suit you and whatever you care about most!
- Student Presidents are paid
- Many UWS meetings are held in person on Scottish campuses so successfully elected Student Presidents must already live in, or move to live in Scotland.
- Student Presidents are paid £23,141 a year.
The main role of all Student Presidents is to advocate for and improve the university experience for students. Read on to find out what Student Presidents work looks like and the difference between each role. Like any student representative, all four Student Presidents do the following work:
- Identify the issues students experience by listening to students across the university be speaking with them in person or online.
- Work out what needs to be done to improve the lives of students.
- Attend meetings with university managers and join committees and groups across the university to express the views of students.
- Work within these groups so that systems, processes, services, and more can be improved for students.
- Lead projects to improve the lives of students.
- Become a part of the wider student movement, working together with officers and staff from across Scotland and the UK.
- Become a member of the Students’ Union Board of Trustees.
- Work to achieve their manifesto that students voted for.
A Student President role might suit you if:
- You have been at UWS a while and have a good idea of what UWS students need.
- You have already worked with the Students' Union as a student rep, society member, volunteer, or other similar role.
- You are passionate about improving UWS for all students.
- You are graduating in summer 2024 or are happy to take a years break from your studies to fulfil this role.
- You are always up for a challenge!
However, each Student President has a different area of work to focus on so the focus of the day-to-day work will vary for each role!
President
If you are looking to develop and use your leadership skills, like to have an overview of everything that is happening, and are not afraid of responsibility then this could be the perfect position for you!
The president is the leader of the Students’ Union – this means that they lead the Sabbatical Team, the student reps, and the Union. The president sits on the highest university committees and meets regularly with the senior management.
- The president leads the Students’ Union, and the team of Student Vice Presidents.
- The president, alongside the board of trustees, is responsible for the actions of the students’ union.
- The president represents all student at UWS through attending meetings such as the University Court and Senate, and working in partnership with students, staff, at UWS and the wider student movement locally and nationally.
- The president works strategically, building relationships across UWS and beyond.
- The president is the spokesperson of the Students’ Union and students at UWS.
VP Education
If you are passionate about learning and teaching, and think that the educational experience is central to your university experience, you could be the next VP Education!
The VP Education is concerned with the learning experience of students! This means they work on everything learning and teaching. This includes the resources students have to learn, how they learn and are taught, assessment and feedback, and the guidance and support they receive along the way.
- The VP Education works to improve the learning experience at UWS.
- They work particularly closely with student reps, focussing on improving learning and teaching!
- The VP education works to improve Learning and Teaching, and their concerns may include learning resources, curriculum, and teaching methods.
- The VP Education may be involved in the running of learning and teaching conferences at UWS
- The VP Education can work to empower students to enhance their learning and teaching experience.
VP Student Development
If you think that university is about more than what happens in to the classroom, and are excited about all of the extra activities that being a part of a university community has to offer such as clubs, societies, and volunteering this position could be a great fit for you!
The VP Student Development looks after everything that makes up the student experience beyond the learning and teaching – this means building community all the extra activities students can get involved in like joining and running societies, doing volunteer work, and gaining extra skills.
- The VP Student Development works to improve student lives at UWS outside of the classroom.
- The VP Student Development helps to build strong communities across UWS.
- VP Student Development advocates for student societies and helps them to achieve their aims and ideas.
- VP Student Development helps to develop opportunities for volunteering and skills training.
- VP Student Development focusses on extra-curricular activities for UWS Students.
VP Welfare and Wellbeing
If you know university can be a tough time for students and want to help ensure students are cared for, why not apply to be the next Welfare and Wellbeing?
The VP Welfare and Wellbeing cares about student wellbeing and mental health. This includes issues with student poverty and housing, as well as improving support for student mental health. These are key issues facing students so it’s important to keep up to date with the latest thinking and research on mental health in universities within this role.
- The VP Welfare and Wellbeing works to improve student welfare and wellbeing at UWS.
- This includes helping to create a better environment for student mental health
- The VP Welfare and Wellbeing works to eliminate financial hardship, homelessness and hunger amongst the student body.
- VP Welfare and Wellbeing works to develop the inclusivity of the Students’ Union and UWS
- VP Welfare and Wellbeing works to ensure that students have good access to the support they need at UWS.
Volunteer Roles
School Officers
There are two school officers per school at UWS, and this is a role you can complete during your studies to gain experience and skills, and an insight into how the university works.
School Officers represent all students within one of the four schools at UWS.
The four schools are:
Business and Creative Industries
Computing, Engineering, and Physical Sciences
Education and Social Science
Health and Life Sciences
- School Officers work to improve the lives of students who study within their school
- School Officers gather information from divisional reps
- School Officers attend school board meetings and share feedback and student perspective on matters discussed there
- School Officers feedback school board decisions to divisional reps.
- School Officers work together with staff in the school to improve the student experience.?
There are three committees at UWS with spaces specifically for PGR students. These roles are all voluntary roles which can be completed alongside your studies.
On all of these groups, the PGR Representative should:
- Provide a research student perspective on the issues being debated by the university.
- Read committee papers
- Discuss and debate changes that are proposed at UWS
- Talk to fellow PGR students to find out what they think and keep them informed.
- Be a student at UWS until at least Summer 2025
PGR Senate Representative
The PGR Senate Representative will be the PGR voice on the Senate. The Senate is responsible for overall planning, co-ordination, development and supervision of the academic work of the whole University and the elected Full Time Sabbatical officers sit on Senate too. Senate meets 4x a year.
The representatives will be in post for the academic year 2024-2025 so this role is not suitable for anyone who will finish their studies on or before August 2024.
- The representative will provide a research student perspective on the issues being debated by the university.
- Read committee papers
- Discuss and debate changes that are proposed at UWS
- Talk to fellow PGR students to find out what they think and keep them informed.
Doctoral College Board Student Representatives
There are two places for Doctoral Students on the Doctoral College Board. The Doctoral College is responsible for addressing issues related to the doctoral student experience including registration, research studies, progression, and assessment of doctoral students. They also review and monitor the conditions of doctoral candidates.
The representatives will be in post for the academic year 2024-2025 so this role is not suitable for anyone who will finish their studies on or before August 2024.
- The representative will provide a research student perspective on the issues being debated by the university.
- Read committee papers
- Discuss and debate changes that are proposed at UWS
- Talk to fellow PGR students to find out what they think and keep them informed.
Research and Innovation Committee Representatives
There are two places for doctoral students on the Research and Innovation Committee (previously REAC). This committee is responsible for the development of research and enterprise at UWS, and makes recommendations to Senate - one of the highest committees in the University.
The representatives will be in post for the academic year 2024-2025 so this role is not suitable for anyone who will finish their studies on or before August 2024.
- The representative will provide a research student perspective on the issues being debated by the university.
- Read committee papers
- Discuss and debate changes that are proposed at UWS
- Talk to fellow PGR students to find out what they think and keep them informed.
If you stand for election we provide loads of support to all of our candidates to help you to be the strongest candidate you can be, and you can always get intouch with claire.lumsden@uws.ac.uk if you have any questions!
- Regular Information Sessions - As set out in the elections timetable above and there will be more candidate sessions throughout the election period
- Candidate Briefing - Once you nominate yourself you'll be sent the candidate briefing which will give you an introduction to everything you need to know about the elections.
- Guidance on writing a manifesto - Your manifesto is key to your campaign - it's where you'll set out who you are, what you want to do for students at UWS, and why students should vote for you. As a Sabbatical Candidate you must upload a manifesto before your candidacy will be approved. You will also be able to book a session with our Membership Manager David Devlin for feedback on your manifesto.
- Introduction to Canva Session - www.canva.com is a great free resources for creating graphics, and we'll run an introduction to canva session to help you get started and will be available for any follow up questions you have too.
- Video Editing Services for Sabbatical Officer Candidates - Sabbatical Officer candidates will be given access to professional video editing services for their campaign videos. Details TBC.
Election Principles and Rules 2024
1) Students must be free to cast their vote without undue influence or pressure.
2) Obey the law, union policies, and university policies.
3) Keep everyone safe
4) Treat other candidates with respect and honesty.
5) Items produced or primarily used for your campaign must be accounted for within the given allowance.
6) Campaigning will start on the agreed upon day.
7) To be confirmed as a candidate you must attend a candidate briefing, and upload a photo and a manifesto.
How it works:
To give you an idea of how this works there are some examples of how the principles are applied below:
1) Students must be free to cast their vote without undue influence or pressure.
Candidates may not stand and watch students when they vote as the student would be under pressure to vote for that particular candidate. While you may offer students benefits such as inviting them to a watch party to help students remember to you and listen to you, any benefits offered to voters must not be contingent on voting for that candidate. You cannot offer students any rewards that they get after they have voted for you, as this would be deemed as undue influence.
2) Obey the law, union and university policies.
This means that you as a candidate and your campaign team, as always, must adhere to the law, University regulation (such as their behavioural code, health and safety regulations, equal opportunities procedure, harassment code, damage to university property, and use of email etc.) and Union policy (such as our safe spaces policy, Elections Regulations, and our online campaigning guide etc). Breach of these policies can lead to a disciplinary which could in turn affect your student status and your Union membership.
3) Keep everyone safe
All campaigning during this election must be safe for everyone involved. This means that you should not campaign face to face if you are suffering from a contagious illness for example, and that you should ensure campaign teams get breaks and look after themselves.
4) Treat others candidates with respect
This principle covers a lot of ground. For example: defacing other candidates’ publicity, making up stories about other candidates, or heckling other candidates are among the actions that would be considered a breach of this principle.
5) Campaign within the allowance provided.
Each year candidates receive a financial allowance to spend on campaigning, and access to services such as video editing and graphic design consultancy to help them to run their campaigns. The allowance for 2024 is yet to be confirmed.
Receipts must be kept and submitted to the Students’ Union for approval.
6) Campaigning will start on the agreed upon day.
Candidates may begin their campaign as soon as they are confirmed as a candidate.
7) To be confirmed as a candidate you must attend a candidate briefing, upload a photo and a manifesto, and confirm that you understand the role.
Your status as a candidate will not be confirmed until you have attended a candidate briefing, and uploaded a photo and a manifesto to the Students’ Union website, and confirm that you understand the role.
Breach of Conduct:
Upon report of a breach of conduct candidates will be reported to the Returning Officer who will conduct an investigation together with an elections committee made up of students, and will apply sanctions if the candidate is found to be in breach.
The Returning Officer or Deputy Returning Officer have the right to sanction and even remove a candidate from the election process if they feel it appropriate.
Election FAQs
We'll be updating these as the election goes on and we get more questions!
Why should I stand for election?
Any of these positions are an excellent opportunity to:
-
Make a Difference – improve UWS for your fellow students by making sure that students are heard!
-
Develop Skills – you’ll get an opportunity to attend meetings at a very high level, work in partnership with university staff, and develop your skills for the workplace.
-
Get training and support – Whatever role you stand for your Students’ Union will support you to campaign, and if you’re elected your Students’ Union is here to support you in your role.
-
Get Paid - if you are successfully elected as a Sabbatical Officer you'll be in a paid role for a year!
Why should I care about the Elections?
We believe that students should be at the heart of everything that happens at UWS – Elections make sure that the student representatives truly represent the views of students, and that the student voice is heard at every level of the university.
Why are there no NUS Conference Roles or Union Chair this time round?
We now elect both of these types of roles at different times of the year - NUS Conference Delegates will be elected in September, alongside Course and Divisional Rep Roles.
The Union's bylaws have now changed to enable to Union Chair to be elected from membership of Student Council.
How do I nominate myself?
When elections are open you can simply log in to this election page and choose which position to nominate yourself for. Make sure you upload a manifesto to let students know what you stand for and why they should vote for you!
I'm an international student, can I stand for a Student President Position?
Yes you can! To talk about visa requirement e-mail elections@uwsunion.org.uk.
Still have questions? Email elections@uwsunion.org.uk, for more information!
Questions or Complaints
If you have any questions about the election, please contact by emailing sabina.lawrie@uws.ac.uk . All enquiries are kept in the strictest confidence.
If you would like to make a complaint about the election please download and complete the Elections Complaint Form before sending it to Sabina.
You will need to log into the website, using your standard log in, to Vote.
If your password is not working - you need to have this reset by ITDS.